Structural post assembly for walls



Aug. 29, 1961 ca. w. STONER ET AL 2,998,108

STRUCTURAL POST ASSEMBLY FOR WALLS Filed May 20, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 George W. Stoner Gary W .Sfaner INVENTORS Z4 BY maoi iw.

and paw ZfM Aug. 29, 1961 Filed May 20, 1959 G. W. STONER ETAL STRUCTURAL POST ASSEMBLY FOR WALLS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 George W Sfoner Gary W. Sinner 1 N VEN TORS Y al/WM,

United States Patent 2,998,108 STRUCTURAL POST ASSEMBLY FOR WALLS George W. Stoner and Gary W. Stoner, both of 6313 Bonnie Vale Ave., Rivera, Calif. Filed May 20, 1959, Ser. No. 814,592 3 Claims. (Cl. 189-34) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in building construction, and more specifically to a novel partition wall.

In many types of building construction, particularly office buildings, it is desirable to sub-divide spaces. This, of course, requires use of a partition wall. Partition walls of the permanent type are not only expensive to build, but also, when they are to be removed, substantially all of the materials used in their construction is wasted. Further, after these types of partition walls have been removed, it is necessary to patch the walls and ceilings where the partition walls join them.

On the other hand, it has been suggested that the partition wall be of the knock-down type and many attempts have been made to provide a suitable partition wall of this type. However, substantially all of the knock-down type partition walls have proved to be impracticaleither because of their construction or because of their appearance. Also, a large number of the proposed knock-down partition walls are extremely expensive in their original cost.

In view of the foregoing, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a partition wall construction of the knock-down type, the partition wall construction being of such nature that the original cost thereof is relatively low and it may be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled.

Another object of the invention is "to provide a novel knock-down partition wall construction, the partition wall construction embodying primarily only three special components in the construction thereof, which components may be readily produced at a very low cost so that the original cost of the partition wall construction is relatively low. V d v A 7 Still another object of this invention is to provide a structural post assembly for partition walls, the struc tural post assembly being of such'a nature that a pair of such structural post assemblies may receive therebetween conventional wall board which will be assembled with the post assembly in such a manner that the final wall construction is of a pleasing appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structural post assembly for interior partition walls, the structural post assembly being formed primarily of three components, the components being of such a nature whereby they may be readily assembled in a minimum amount of time without requiring the use of any special sols whatsoever.

A still further object of the invention is to provide: a novel structural post assembly for interior partitions, the structural post assembly being readily suitable for adaptation to receive parts of door frames and the like, the structural post assembly being further of such a nature that electrical conduits and switches may be mounted therein.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the ac companying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the interior partition wall which is the subject of this invention and shows generally the appearance thereof;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view showing the upper ends of elements of the structural post of the partition wall of FIGURE 1 FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 33 of FIGURE 1 and shows the specific details of construction of the partition wall, intermediate portions of the wall panel being omitted; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged inverted perspective View of one of the connecting plates used in the formation of the structural post assembly of the partition wall.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the partition wall, which is the subject of this invention, is referred to generally by the reference numer al 10. The partition wall 10 is illustrated in FIGURE 1 as extending between a floor 12 and a ceiling 14 of a room terminating at its right end at a wall 16 of the same room.

The partition wall 10 is formed primarily of structural post assemblies, generally referred to by the numeral 18, and wall panels 20. The details of construction of one of the structural post assemblies are best illustrated in FIGURE 3.

Each of the structural post assemblies 18 is formed of a pair of framing uprights, each of which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 22. Each of the framing uprights 22 is of the same construction and the framing uprights of each pair are disposed in back-toback relation, as is shown in FIGURE 3.

Each framing upright 22 includes a relatively wide central Web 24. A flange 26 is integrally connected to each edge of the web 24 and extends at right angles thereto, the two flanges 26 extending in the same direction and being parallel to each other. A flange 28, which is disposed parallel to web 24, extends outwardly from each of the flanges 26. Another flange 3G is integrally connected to the outer end of the individual flange .28 and extends parallel to the flanges .26 toward the general plane of the web 24. Thus the flanges 26, 28 and 30 define a channel 32. The channels 32 of each of the frame uprights 22 are disposed parallel to each other and the channels 32 of each pair of framing uprights 22 open in opposite directions.

Each of the flanges 30 has an extension 34 which.extends on the opposite side of the respective flanges 28. The flange extension 34 terminates remote from the flange 30 in an offset portion 36 which is integrally connected to a flange 38 disposed parallel to the flanges. 28. The flanges 38 are in opposed relation and. lie in a common plane. The flange extension 3 4, its off-set portion 36 and the flange 38, together with the flanges 28 combine. to define a channel 40. The channels 40 of each of the' framing uprights 22 are disposed in opposed relation.

The framing uprights 22 of each of the structural post assemblies 18 are connected together by connecting plates generally referred to by the reference numeral .42. The connecting plates 42 are disposed at vertically spaced intervals which serve to retain the framing uprights 22 in spaced parallel relation. l v

Each of the connecting plates 42, includes primarily a web 44 which is generally of an hour-glass shape and which is provided adjacent its end-s with outwardly projecting ears 46, the ears46 being arranged in pairs. Each end of the web 44 terminates in a reducedwidth flange 48 which is disposed generally normal to the plane of the web 44. The individual flange 48is provided witha V: notch 50 which opens awayfrom the web 44. Also, the

web 44 may be provided with suitable apertures 52 for the passage of fasteners in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter. d V Referring !once again to FIGURE 3 in particular, it be seen that when theconnecting plate 42 is in position, the ears 46'thereof are seated in the channels 40 and serve to interlock the framing uprights 22 together. Furthermore, the ends of the webs 44 of the connecting plates 42 are snugly received between the flanges 26.

Although no meanshave been illustrated for securing the structural post assemblies 18 to the floor 12 and the ceiling 14, his to be understood that the connecting plates 42 may be used for this purpose. A spacer block .(not shown) may be secured to either the floor '12 or the ceiling 14, after which the associating connecting plate 42 is secured in place by passing fasteners through the apertures .52. Of course, other types of fasteners may be used to secure the structural post assembly 18 to the floor 12 and the ceiling '14.

The structural post assemblies 18 are completed by the addition of ornamental caps which are referred to in general by the reference numeral 54. Each of the caps 54 is of a channel cross-section and includes a web 56 and a pair of flanges 58. Each of the flanges 58 terminates in an offset end portion 60. When the caps 54 are snapped in place, the ends of the flanges 58 abut the connecting plates 42 to limit the inward movement of the caps 54. At the same time, the offset end portions 60! snap behind the flanges 38 and resist removal of the caps 54. The outer surface of the web 56 may have any desired ornamentation formed therein.

The wall panels 20 may be of any desired material. It is preferred that the wall panels 28 be in the form of existing building panels which may be bought at a relatively low cost and which will present the desired ornamental effect. Normally the wall panels 20- will be of standard dimensions and will be out only when necessary. In this manner the wall panels may be salvaged, together with the components of the structural post assemblies 18.

When the wall panels 20 are assembled with the struc tural post assemblies 18, the vertical edges of the wall panels 20 are received in the channels 32 of the framing uprights 22. The framing uprights 22 are lightly clamped against the ends of the wall panels 28 by means of elongated tie bolts 62. The tie bolts 62 extend through the webs 24 and are anchored with respect to the framing uprights 22 by nuts 64. At this time it is pointed out that the V-shaped openings 50 in the flanges 48 of the connecting plates 42 are received over the ends of tie bolts 52 so as to retain the connecting plates 42 in place. 'If desired, additional nuts 64 may be screwed onto the ends of the tie bolts 62 to lock the connecting plates 42 in place.

At the left end of the wall panel of FIGURE 3 a door frame member is illustrated. The door frame member is generally referred to by the numeral 66 and includes a stop rail '68 in which a suitable resilient stop member 70 is mounted. The door frame member 66 may be of any desired configuration, but must terminate in an end portion 72 at each edge thereof which will be received within the channels 32 of the associated framing upright 22. It is preferred that the door frame members 66 have facing portions 74 which will be disposed flush with the surfaces of the flanges 30. The ends of the door frame member 66 terminate in opposed flanges 76 which abut the flanges 28. The door frame member 66 is held in place by means of a channel-shaped clamp 78 which is secured to the web 24 of the associated framing upright 22 by means of a bolt 80 and which clamps the flanges 76 against the flanges 28.

Because of the particular shape of the connecting plates 42, suflicient space is provided within the structural post assembly 18 for the passage of electric wires. If desired, suitable openings may be cut in the 'webs 24 of the framing uprights 22 for the passage of electrical wires. A typical switch installation is illustrated in FIGURE ,3. A conventional 2 inch by 2 inch switch 82 is purchased and is secured in place within the structural post assembly 1-8 by screws 84 which pass through the apertures 52 in one .Oflthfl connecting plates 42. As is best shown in EGURE 1, a suitable opening '86 is formed-in the associated cap 54 and a portion of the switch 82, including the toggle operator 88, protrudes. The opening 86 may be neatly formed with the result that the switch installation will have a satisfactory appearance.

Although the partition wall 10 illustrated in FIGURE 1 has been shownto have the wall panels -20 extending the full height thereof, it is to be understood that suitable glass panels could be provided if desired. Also, there could be a combination of glass panels and wall panels.

From the foregoing description of the partition wall construction ltl it will be readily apparent that the partition Wall construction 10 may be quickly and economically installed. Further, it is readily adjustable and therefore adaptable to all types of buildings. In addition to this, because all the parts either snap together or are bolted together, all of the elements of the partition wall construction 10 may be salvaged when it is desired to move the partition wall 10. The only disfiguraticn of the room in which the partition wall 10 is mounted is caused by the few fasteners which are used to secure the structural post assemblies 18 in place. These are relatively few and may be easily patched at a minimum cost. For these reasons, it is believed that the construction of partition wall assembly 10 is economically feasible.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in (the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a wall supporting post assembly, the combination of a pair of spaced uprights each comprising a central channel portion of a U-shaped cross-section open in the direction of the other upright and including a central web and a pair of side flanges, a pair of side members of an L-shaped cross-section integral with the respective side flanges of said central channel portion and coacting therewith to provide a pair of side channel portions, said side channel portions being open in a direction away from said other upright and adapted to receive therein marginal edges of Wall panels, and a pair of flange members of a substantially J-shaped cross-section integral with the respective side members and coacting therewith to provide a pair of opposing grooves at opposite sides of said central channel portion, and a plurality of vertically spaced connector plates secured to said uprights for holding the same in assembled relation, each of said plates including an intermediate portion spanning the space between the uprights and of a lesser width than the distance between said opposing grooves, a pair of end portions extending into and of the same width as said central channel portions of the uprights, and pairs of laterally projecting ears extending into said grooves.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 together with a pair of caps of a 'U-shaped cross-section provided between said uprights, said caps having flanges in engagement with said flange members and terminating at their inner edges in offset beads, said beads being snapped behind inner edges of said flange members and abutting the intermediate portions of said connector plates.

3. In a wall supporting post assembly, the combination of a pair of spaced uprights each comprising a central channel portion open in the direction of the other upright and including a pair of side flanges, a pair of side members integral with the respective side flanges and coacting therewith to provide a pair of side channel portions open in a direction away from said other upright and adapted to receive therein marginal edges of Wall panels, and a pair of flange members integral with the respective side members and coacting therewith to provide a pair of opposing grooves at opposite sides of said central channel portion, a plurality of vertically spaced connecto-r plates secured to said uprights for holding the same in assembled relation, each of said plates including an intermediate portion spanning the space between the uprights, a pair of end portions extending into the central channel portions of the uprights, and pairs of laterally projecting ears extending into said Opposing grooves, and a pair of caps provided between the uprights for closing the space therebetween, said caps having side flanges References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Snead July 9, 1935 Winslow June 4, 1940 

